Micah Richards has told BBC Radio 5 Live (Monday, 1:05PM) that he would back Tottenham to knock AC Milan out of the Champions League if they have a fully fit squad – despite initially responding to the clash by saying, “sorry Spurs”.
Tottenham finished top of Group D thanks to a stunning late win over Marseille last week. They have now been drawn against second-placed Serie A side Milan, the bitter rivals of Antonio Conte’s old team Inter Milan, in the last 16.
The first leg will take place on February 14 or 15, in which Tottenham will go to Milan. Then, the return leg takes place on the 7th or 8th of March. Spurs are proving somewhat inconsistent under Antonio Conte, struggling to get going.
Sunday was another example in which they were poor in the first 45, but so much better in the second half. Richards was asked for his verdict on Radio 5 Live. Initially saying “sorry Spurs”, he thinks a fully fit Spurs would beat Milan.
“Ooooh, the San Siro! Sorry Spurs,” Richards laughed. He added: “If I’m being honest, it depends. The games are on February 14. Exactly [by then, Tottenham will have Richarlison and Son back]. To be fair, a fully fit Spurs, I’d back you.”
Richards would back Tottenham to knock Milan out of Champions League
It could have been better, it could have been worse for Tottenham. They could have drawn Paris Saint-Germain. But they could have got the likes of Club Brugge or Benfica. Instead, they’ve got an in-form Milan side in the last 16.
Probably on a par with the likes of Leipzig and Dortmund – the other sides they could have drawn – Milan will be a tough side. But Franco Baresi raises a good point, Antonio Conte knows Serie A well and he could be the difference.
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